Nokia Networks Mobile Broadband has chosen ICT solutions firm Jasco to be its value-added reseller (VAR) for wireless access solutions in the southern African market.

Nokia Networks MBB solutions specialises in network capacity, with features of their services including the ability to decrease loads on networks, increasing speed connection and boosting the responsiveness of applications.

"Our VARs undergo a rigorous and well-defined selection process, which requires them to demonstrate their technical and delivery capabilities,” says Rock Missamou, of Nokia Networks Middle East, in a statement.

“Jasco was selected based on a number of criteria, including their deep and explicit knowledge of the African telco market and significant presence in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. In addition, their strong financial background, track record with valuable references and rich history of relationships with international suppliers, along with their lean organisational structure, adherence to international ISO standards and internal auditing procedures, made them the ideal partner," says Missamou.

Jasco, which has a footprint across southern Africa, is expected to receive training on Nokia Networks products to enable it to take over the full customer relationship on behalf of Nokia Networks.

This includes selling solutions as well as value-added services, customer management and customer support, according to a Jasco statement.

"Nokia Networks is the first large vendor to adopt a model specifically aimed at selling to Tier 2 operators, such as those in southern Africa,” says Eckart Zollner, head of business Development at Jasco ICT.

“This gives carriers, internet service providers (ISPs) and other organisations access to world-class technology that was not previously available to them. This move also enables Nokia Networks to reach new markets in a cost-effective fashion, so it is a win-win situation for all parties involved," says Eckart Zollner, head of business development at Jasco ICT.

"We will be focusing primarily on delivering Nokia Networks wireless access technology around LTE, which is an area of strategic importance to us as there is significant opportunity in this space in the African market. Our region covers a number of countries, including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique," says Zollner.